Dubai is set to host the historic 30th edition of its renowned Shopping Festival (DSF), transforming the city into a vibrant hub of entertainment, retail, and cultural experiences. Running from December 6, 2024, to January 12, 2025, this year’s festival promises an unparalleled lineup of events, including star-studded concerts, dazzling drone shows, and exclusive shopping deals across the emirate.
Key Takeaways
- The 30th Dubai Shopping Festival runs from December 6, 2024, to January 12, 2025.
- The festival features an extraordinary array of events, including concerts, drone shows, fireworks, and retail promotions.
- New experiences like "The Uncommon x DSF" and "DSF Auto Season" are introduced, alongside returning favorites.
- Shoppers can enjoy significant discounts and participate in grand raffles with substantial prizes.
A Landmark Celebration
What began three decades ago as a modest sales event has blossomed into the world’s longest-running retail festival. The Dubai Shopping Festival now stands as a testament to Dubai’s evolution into a global destination for tourism, entertainment, and retail. This 30th-anniversary edition is designed to be the most memorable yet, offering a diverse calendar of activities for residents and visitors alike.
Dazzling Displays and Entertainment
The skies above Dubai will be illuminated nightly with spectacular displays:
- Fireworks: Daily shows at Dubai Festival City Mall at 9:15 PM, and every Friday and Saturday in Hatta.
- Drone Shows: Twice-daily performances at Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR, at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, featuring 1,000 drones. A special pyro-drone show is scheduled for December 13 and January 11.
- Dubai Lights: Immersive light installations by international artists will transform iconic locations across the city, including Bluewaters Island, Palm Nakheel Mall, and Dubai Design District.
New Experiences and Returning Favorites
This year’s DSF introduces several new attractions while enhancing beloved traditions:
- The Uncommon x DSF: A unique desert experience at Al Marmoom, featuring lighting installations, firepit gatherings, and outdoor cinema, running until January 12, 2025.
- DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall: Free-to-attend Saturday night concerts with top Arab stars, alongside the new IMAGINE DSF edition shows.
- DSF x Hatta: A winter retreat at Hatta Wadi Hub with light displays, live music, and fireworks.
- DSF Auto Season: Debuting from January 1 to 12, 2025, this event will showcase diverse automotive experiences, including vehicle showcases and interactive competitions.
- CanteenX: The popular dining pop-up returns with an "Adventure Expedition" theme, offering diverse culinary experiences and live entertainment.
Shopping and Raffles
DSF remains a shopper’s paradise, with over 1,000 global and local brands participating in the DSF Sales Season, offering discounts of up to 75 percent. Beyond the sales, the festival is renowned for its grand raffles and mega prizes:
- DSF Mega Raffle: Daily chances to win a new Nissan vehicle and AED 100,000 in cash, with a weekly draw for a Nissan Patrol.
- DSF VISA DIB Millionaire: Shoppers spending AED 500 cumulatively with a Dubai Islamic Bank Visa Debit or Credit Card can win 1 million dirhams.
- Dubai Jewellery Group: Purchases of AED 1,500 or more offer a chance to win a share of AED 1.5 million in gold.
Cultural and Sporting Events
The festival also integrates a rich tapestry of cultural and sporting events:
- 321 Festival: Kicking off DSF with concerts by Georges Wassouf, Kadim Al Sahir, and Coke Studio Live.
- Live X Factor Shows: Weekly live broadcasts from Dubai Festival City Mall.
- Concerts: Performances by international artists such as Thirty Seconds to Mars, Sherine Abdel Wahab, Ricky Martin, and Lionel Richie.
- Sporting Events: The Dubai Racing Carnival, Dubai Marathon, and Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival are among the highlights.
With its blend of retail therapy, world-class entertainment, and unique experiences, the 30th Dubai Shopping Festival is poised to be an unforgettable celebration.
Sources
- Extraordinary Line-Up of Only-in-Dubai Experiences Keeps DSF’s Third Week Dazzling!, Emirates24|7.
- Dubai Shopping Festival unveils the most extraordinary line-up of events to date for its historic 30th
anniversary edition – Lifestyle, Emirates24|7. - The 30th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival is set to kick off in 6 December – Lifestyle, Emirates24|7.